Why Choose Melbourne?
- A well-structured course
. The undergraduate BVSc is the only Australian four-year course which you can enter after completion of at least one year of an approved science course.
- The course is highly focussed to produce graduates that can succeed in clinical practice, government and industry. Its success is demonstrated by high employment rates for graduates.
- The undergraduate course provides information in an integrated, sequential format and actively encourages self-directed learning and development of problem solving skills.
- You work closely with your teachers in practical classes, and small clinical groups.
- You complete work experience placements with veterinarians appointed as Academic Associates in zoos, laboratories, and rural and urban practices providing a broad range of clinical experience.
- You have the opportunity to take a research year with the Bachelor of Animal Science
An International Course
- A truly ‘International’ course with undergraduate and graduate students from 5 continents and 18 countries enrolled alongside those from Australia.
- The curriculum encourages you to undertake projects that will familiarise you with the International veterinary profession and permits elective rotations to be taken internationally.
- Melbourne is Australia’s most multicultural city.
Practical Experience
- In the first two years of the course:
- Practical instruction in handling and restraint of animals commences in first year you have handled horses, dogs, cattle, sheep and pigs. You visit the Guide Dogs Association breeding establishment, and the RSPCA urban animal welfare shelter for practical instruction, handle birds, and visit zoos and wildlife refuge shelters.
- You have to undertake 8 weeks work experience on animal enterprises during vacations between the first two years of the course. Students may be able to meet this requirement in their own country or in other overseas locations.
- In the final two years:
- You are rostered in the University's Veterinary Clinic and Hospital, which treats up to 15,000 companion animals, mainly dogs and cats, and 2,800, horses each year.
- You attend the nearby thoroughbred horse breeding studs where some 650 brood mares are mated with the expectation of breeding a Melbourne Cup Winner.
- Experience with dairy cattle practice is provided at the Rural Veterinary Centre at Maffra in eastern Victoria.
- The Veterinary School's sheep consultancy practice, the Mackinnon Project, provides unique opportunities for you to learn the principles of food and fibre animal production investigations during on-farm visits throughout the state.
- The nearby Pig Research and Training Centre at Werribee provides access to pigs.
- The Asia-Pacific Poultry Research Centre provides research, consultancy, diagnostic and field experience with the poultry industry.
- Leading veterinarians in private practice are appointed as Academic Associates to extend the clinical experience for students during 12 weeks of extramural work in a clinical practice environment.
Elective Opportunities
- Melbourne has resisted the world-wide trend towards streaming students into elective subject areas too early in the veterinary science course as advice received from our graduates is that a more informed choice is best made following graduation. Students at Melbourne are much younger than their counterparts in the United States, and they have more time to develop special interests.
- There is an opportunity for students to select practical clinical electives during the final semester of final year.
- Some elect to complete a research year for the degree of Bachelor of Animal Science after the second year of the course.
Career Opportunities
- The degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Melbourne enables graduates to enter practice as veterinarians throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
- The degree has been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Graduates are eligible to sit the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination along with graduates from accredited veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada.
- Veterinarians have good employment opportunities within Australia and internationally. There are a variety of career paths from the employed veterinarian working in a small practice. As well, our graduates are employed in research, education and training; veterinary and human pharmaceutical industries; public health and food safety; quarantine and government service; zoos and wildlife conservation; animal welfare; and international development programs.
- Melbourne graduates have found career opportunities in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, South-East Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia), United Arab Emirates, and many other countries in addition to Australia.
Transition
- The teaching program is dedicated to achieving excellent outcomes for each and every student in a safe and friendly environment.
- Mentors are available for every student with two mentors dedicated to international students.
- Assistance is provided to new International Students through Housing and Arrival Services
- On-site residential accommodation is available in Kendall Hall at Werribee for the final two years of the course.
- Academic staff are approachable and interested in assisting students to achieve their academic potential and professional objectives.
- The Faculty organises special transition programs for students in their final year to prepare you for entering professional life.